Toy molding apparatus



J. B. FORBES 2 2,218,260

TOY MOLDING APPARATUS Filed April 1, 1937 Patented Got. 15, 1940 TOY MOLDING APPARATUS James B. Forbes, Oak Park, Ill., assignor to John Lloyd Wright, Inc., Chicago, 111., a corporatio of Illinois Application April 1, 1937, Serial No. 134,264

2 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in toy molding apparatus, and more particularly to molds for plaster statuettes and the like.

The principal object of the invention is to provide a simple, inexpensive molding apparatus of the character described, particularly designedfor children, whereby they can readily make, by following simple instructions, any desired number of plaster figurines such as Indians, soldiers or the like, to be thereafter used as toys.

The invention may best be understood by reference to the accompanying drawing, in which Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a molding apparatus constructed in accordance with my invention, showing a plurality of flexible molds for casting a plurality of statuettes simultaneously, and a simple form of standard for supporting said molds during the pouring operation.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of one of the molds shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a transverse detail section taken through the mold shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view showing the manner in which the flexible mold can be stripped 25 from the figure after the latter has been formed.

Referring now to the embodiment of my invention illustrated in the drawing, the molds are indicated generally at I0, and each comprises a preformed hollow one-piece casing made of rubber or similar elastic, flexible, moisture-resistant material. Where as here illustrated, such molds are intended to show a human figure, they have a generally elongated body portion II and a substantially fiat base portion l2 at one end. there- 35 of which is open to facilitate the pouring and casting of the figure. The entire body portion is split or parted in a substantially straight line extending lengthwise along one side thereof, as indicated at l3 in Fig. 3. Two integral, laterally 40 extending flanges M, M are formed along the opposite meeting edges of the line of parting, said flanges being normally disposed in closely fitting engagement with each other when the mold is closed, especially along the meeting inner edges thereof adjacent the mold chamber, as shown in Fig. 3. Said flanges extend the full length of the mold, and project a substantial distance from the body of the latter in position to be clamped together and held in closed position during the casting operation.

Fig. 1 also shows a simple apparatus for holding the molds during casting, consisting of a base 20 having a plurality of upright standards 2 I, 2| mounted thereon, each of said standards consisting of a pair of clamping members 22, 22 arranged to receive and clamp the mold flanges I4, l4 therebetween and hold said mold in inverted molding position, as shown. Each pair of clamping members 22 can be secured together in any suitable manner, in the form shown said 5 members being generally semi-circular in cross section, and tapered towards their upper ends as indicated at 23, so as to receive a cylindrical cap 24 which can be pressed down thereon as required to insure a tight clamping pressure on the mold flanges l4, l4 secured therebetween.

The use and operation of the molding apparatus above described will now be understood. With the molds mounted in the standards 2|, 2| in inverted position shown in the left-hand mold in Fig. 1, plastic material of any suitable kind such as plaster of Paris or the like, is poured While in fluid or semifluid condition, into the upper, open end of the mold so as to fill the latter, as is illustrated with respecttothe two right-hand 2o molds shown in Fig. 1. The flanges l4, l4, being clamped together during the casting operation, prevent the escape of material along the split side of the mold. The flexibility of the elastic mold body, however, permits the latter to be manipu- 25 lated by the fingers in order to insure complete filling of the mold and the expulsion of air that otherwise might be trapped in the mold and form objectionable voids in the finished casting.

After the casting has been allowed to set, it is removed from the mold, first, by releasing the flanges from the clamping standard and then spreading the flanges apart and stripping the mold from the casting, as indicated in Fig. 4. The flexibility of the rubber mold permits the casting to be removed Without injury or breakage, even with relatively light and fragile-sectioned castings. Thus, with my improved form of mold, it is possible to produce sound and perfect castings from molds having much lighter sections and more minute surface details than is possible with ordinary molds.

Although I have illustrated and described one particular embodiment of my invention, it will be understood that I do not wish to be limited to the exact construction shown and described, but that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention as defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A mold for plastic toys consisting of a one piece self-supporting mold body including side and bottom walls made of flexible elastic rubberlike material parted on a substantially straight line along meeting edges at only one side thereof, 5

said body including a pair of laterally extending parallel flanges formed along said meeting edges, and a base having a pair of upright standards arranged to receive said flanges therebetween throughout their length, and means for detachably securing the upper ends of said clamping members together whereby said base and clamping members form the sole support for said mold while casting.

JAMES B. FORBES. 

